Boar Tusk, mid 19th to early 20th Century
Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Boar tusk; 4 1/4 × 4 × …

Images(2)

Boar's Tusk Currency

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments

Datemid 19th to early 20th Century

Made AtPapua New Guinea

Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia

MediumBoar tusk

Dimensions3 7/8 × 3 7/8 × 11/16 in., 1.2 oz. (9.8 × 9.8 × 1.7 cm, 0.034 kg.)

Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection

Object number2015.17.25

DescriptionDue to the long, tedious process required to cultivate them, curved lower boar tusks are items of immense value in Papua New Guinea. In order to create these pieces of currency and adornment, the upper tusks must be removed so that the lower tusks will not be ground down over time. When a boar approaches the end of its life, it becomes necessary to hand feed them and fence them in so that they do not break their tusks. After 6 to 12 years, the tusks are ready to be harvested.

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